The LCPS Letter
Our current One LCPS: 2027 Strategic Plan for Excellence has helped guide our work and priorities. As we look ahead, we are developing a new Strategic Plan for 2027–2032 that will help us focus our collective efforts over the next five years. Our Strategic Planning Team has been listening, learning and working together to develop draft goals and strategies for the new plan, with feedback from the community along the way.
Now, we are inviting students, families, staff and community members to share their thoughts on the draft goals and strategies.
We are using ThoughtExchange, an online platform that gives everyone an opportunity to share their perspectives and rate others' ideas. Please take a few minutes to participate in the 2027-2032 Strategic Plan ThoughtExchange before Thursday, Oct. 1. Learn more about ThoughtExchange.
Congratulations to Belmont Ridge Middle School, Blue Ridge Middle School, Eagle Ridge Middle School, River Bend Middle School, Smart’s Mill Middle School and Watson Mountain Middle School on being named Schools of Distinction by the Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE). This honor recognizes the schools’ commitment to young adolescent education and continuous improvement. In total, 13 LCPS middle schools have earned this recognition since AMLE began recognizing Schools of Distinction in 2022. Read more about the 2026 Schools of Distinction.
LCPS will offer the PSAT 8/9 to students in grade 9 and the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) to students in grades 10 and 11 this fall. The assessments are administered during the regular school day, and there is no cost for students or registration required.
Students will take the digital assessment using their LCPS-managed device. A built-in Desmos calculator is available in the digital math section, so students do not need to bring their own calculator.
Families can visit the LCPS Office of Assessment website for school testing dates, preparation resources and additional information about the PSAT 8/9 and PSAT/NMSQT.
A conversation with a professional, a job-shadowing experience or an internship can help a student begin to see how what they are learning in school connects to life after graduation.
The 2026 LCPS Workforce Summit will bring business and industry partners, educators and students together on Friday, Oct. 16, at the National Conference Center to create more of those connections.
Under this year's theme, "Explore. Connect. Prepare.," the Summit will focus on moving business partnerships from interest to action. Businesses will explore ways to work with LCPS, connect directly with students and educators and identify opportunities that fit their interests and capacity.
Students participating in the Summit will have opportunities to interact with business professionals through mock interviews, networking and employability skills activities.
Partnerships with local businesses give LCPS students opportunities to explore careers, gain workplace experience and participate in internships, apprenticeships and other experiences that connect learning with life after graduation.
Learn more about the 2026 LCPS Workforce Summit and how local businesses are helping connect classrooms with careers.
LCPS is expanding career opportunities for students with a new electrical pre-apprenticeship program for high school seniors.
Launching in January 2027 in partnership with Independent Electrical Contractors Chesapeake (IECC), the 160-hour program will provide hands-on electrical training after school at the Academies of Loudoun at no cost to LCPS students. Students who complete the program will earn industry-recognized credentials, prepare for employment with electrical contractors and automatically transition to Apprentice status. Pending employment, they will also be enrolled in Year 1 of IECC’s four-year registered apprenticeship program.
The first cohort will include up to 20 seniors. Students will also develop professional resumes and interview for potential full-time employment in the electrical field after graduation.
The program is the first of its kind in LCPS and was developed in response to feedback from regional workforce partners about the need for skilled workers in the electrical trades.
Learn more about the new electrical pre-apprenticeship program.
There’s still time for students in grades 9-12 to participate in Loudoun County Public Schools’ free Credit Through Testing (CTT) assessment. If your student speaks, reads or writes in a language other than English, this exam can recognize those skills by earning the VDOE Seal of Biliteracy and up to three high school world language credits while supporting continued language learning at higher levels.
The fall registration window closes on Wednesday, Sept. 30, and testing will take place at six LCPS high schools. Space is limited. Learn more and register through the Student Opportunities portal in LCPS GO or visit lcps.org/ctt.
In this week’s LCPS Podcast, students at Heritage High School talk with Renée Dawson, host of the School Spirit podcast and director of Family and Community Engagement, about the power of connection through sports, clubs, activities and the classroom. As one of two LCPS schools offering the rigorous IB curriculum, Heritage students share how welcomed and supported they felt when transferring to the school for the program, and how that same sense of belonging greets them each day when they arrive at school and as they participate in activities. Their stories highlight how Heritage helps students grow not only as learners, but also as engaged community members.
The LCPS Podcast brings you behind the scenes with school leaders, educators, students and community members to explore trends shaping K–12 education and incredible moments you won’t find anywhere else. New episodes drop every Thursday. Find the LCPS Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music and iHeart Radio. Listen to this week's episode on the LCPS Podcast webpage.
With school back in session, we need to ensure our students aren't running on empty. Loudoun Education Foundation's Fueled program supports nearly 2,000 LCPS students each week through weekend meal bags and in-school pantries. And our school-wide snack program helps students stay engaged from homeroom to afterschool activities. LEF encourages families, businesses and communities to host a snack drive to keep kids fueled and focused. Visit LEF’s website to find the information and resources you need to make a difference.
September is Suicide Prevention Month. During this month and throughout the year, the LCPS community comes together to promote awareness about suicide prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is one of the leading causes of death among people ages 10 to 24, underscoring the importance of early recognition and support. (Source) Schools play a critical role in identifying warning signs, communicating with families, fostering connectedness and ensuring students have access to trusted adults and appropriate resources. LCPS implements comprehensive suicide prevention programming and partners with professional organizations to raise awareness and connect individuals to effective support. Below are just a few resources that LCPS provides to support student mental health.
Sources of Strength: Every LCPS high school offers Sources of Strength, a student-driven wellness and prevention program. The program promotes student mental health by helping students identify and develop protective factors that build their resiliency.
United Mental Health and Wellness Teams: Every school has a UMHT made up of school counselors, social workers, psychologists and student assistance specialists. These teams partner with teachers, staff and families to support students’ social, emotional and behavioral needs and to remove barriers to learning.
Care Solace: Care Solace is a free care‑coordination service that helps LCPS families and staff connect with mental health and substance‑use treatment options that fit their needs. It navigates the mental health care system on your behalf by locating community‑based providers and securing appointments as quickly as possible with the most appropriate care. Care Solace also ensures that providers accept your medical insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare, or offer sliding‑scale payment options for those without coverage.
Parent Guidance: Parent Guidance offers free, on-demand videos about youth-development topics. During this month, we highlight one of their videos – What Parents Need to Know about Suicide Prevention – which helps parents understand mental health, recognize warning signs and support suicide prevention. In addition to videos, Parent Guidance provides parent coaching, which connects parents/guardians with a dedicated coach and therapist-created resources to help you navigate the ups and downs of parenting with confidence.
Film Explores Themes of Self-Discovery and Belonging
Join us for "Our Turn to Talk," a powerful film that follows five teens as they navigate the challenges of growing up, discovering who they are and finding their voices in the world. Through honest conversations, they share the pressures they face and the realities of living with mental health challenges, while offering valuable insights into what they wish adults better understood. Watch the trailer to learn about some of the key topics explored in the film.
"Our Turn to Talk" Film and Discussion
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 24, 6 to 8 p.m.
- Location: LCPS Administration Building (21000 Education Ct., Ashburn)
- Register
Arrive at 6 p.m. to enjoy snacks and connect with others. We'll have pizza, popcorn and movie-theater candy. The film begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a facilitated discussion designed to deepen our understanding of youth mental health and spark meaningful conversation. Recommended for ages 12 and older.
Help your child thrive in the digital age. Join the LAWS Prevention Team and the Leesburg Police Department for an interactive workshop designed to help parents and caregivers confidently navigate today’s digital landscape. Learn practical strategies for supporting responsible technology use while addressing common online challenges facing children and teens. Participants will gain expert guidance and tools to foster healthy digital habits, strengthen online safety and encourage positive technology use at home. Leave feeling empowered with the knowledge and confidence to help your child navigate the digital world safely and successfully.
Parenting in a Digital World
Date: Friday, Sept. 18, 6-7:30 p.m.
Location: Community Room at the Leesburg Police Department (65 Plaza St. NE, Leesburg)
Register to reserve your spot!
Classic cars and more will take over the streets of historic downtown Leesburg for the 8th Annual Leesburg Car Show on Saturday, Oct. 3 from noon to 4 p.m.
The free event will feature up to 150 vehicles, with an emphasis on classic cars that are at least 25 years old. Visitors can check out the vehicles, vote for their favorites in the Spectator’s Choice Awards and stick around for the awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m.
The annual event continues a longtime Loudoun tradition while supporting students at the Academies of Loudoun. Proceeds from the car show – including generous donations from Loudoun Education Foundation donors – primarily fund senior scholarships, helping students continue their education after graduation. Learn more about the annual Leesburg Car Show.